Where are the best places to stay in Canada this winter?

From remote fly-in lodges to oceanfront chalets, explore some of the best winter accommodations in Canada in every province and territory. 
 

Want to see the aurora? Stay at Blachford Lodge outside Yellowknife or the Churchill Northern Studies Centre in Manitoba, which offers guided northern lights experiences. Or head to the Yukon at the Northern Lights Resort & Spa in Whitehorse to view the aurora through glass-fronted chalets.

Skiers and families gravitate toward slope-side stays like The Josie at RED Mountain Resort in British Columbia (3,850 skiable acres) and the Westin Trillium House at Ontario's Blue Mountain. Québec's Hôtel de Glace—the only ice hotel in North America—offers hand-sculpted suites, an ice bar and a thermal spa.

Seekers of remote destinations should head to Eagle Mountain Lodge in Newfoundland and Labrador, which borders Gros Morne National Park and receives 8–12 feet of snow annually, or to Skoki Lodge in Banff National Park, accessible only by a 6.8-mile ski-in route. For cultural immersion, Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations near Québec City blends boutique lodging with Huron-Wendat heritage. 

Across all 10 provinces and 3 territories, Canada's winter accommodation options deliver exceptional experiences for every travel style and budget.

Quick facts

Unusual city stays

Urban adventures don’t always have to involve excessive planning or uncharted territory to feel that rush of getting away. Sometimes, bedding down at an unusual accommodation is all the walk-on-the-wild-side you need.

In British Columbia's capital, Victoria, check out Hotel Zed. Bunker down in the Zedstream, a one-of-a-kind Airstream trailer transformed into a crash pad, complete with a private outdoor deck, TV, shower and mini-fridge. This hotel is right on the Galloping Goose Trail, which can take you almost anywhere you want in the Greater Victoria area. Don't have a bike? Hotel Zed will loan you one. 

Winter is quite mild on the southwestern coast of Canada, so you can stroll Victoria’s Inner Harbour (or even go kayaking), gaze at the twinkling lights of the British Columbia Parliament Buildings, then grab take-out before heading back to your digs to settle in with a comic book supplied by the hotel.

If chill is your idea of a perfect city retreat, check out Hôtel de Glace in Québec. This intimate and luxurious hotel is the only ice hotel in North America, where art, light and emotions come to life in the hand-sculpted suites. You’ll be surrounded by furs, polar glows and perfect silence. Of course, this is Québec, known for its bonhomie, so you can choose a room with a comforting fireplace set amid all those blocks of ice and snow. 

Both dining and nightlife come with the same magical feeling. The Ice Bar is the perfect place to experience mixology and winter magic before dining at the Hôtel de Glace Restaurant, which is the definition of fine dining. There's also an ice skating path, a thermal spa, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools on the grounds of the Hôtel Valcartier, where the ice hotel is located

If you're the curious type, a stay at Churchill Northern Studies Centre (a spacious LEED Silver-certified facility) in Manitoba. Its learning vacations, which range from five to seven days, take you into the great outdoors to spot wildlife and view the northern lights. You’ll stay on the campus while sharing meals with visiting scientists, the in-house research team and other learners. There are even options for solo travelers. The town of Churchill boasts that it's the best place in the world to see the northern lights and wildlife. 

Staying in a rustic lodge cabin or going glamping also offer perfect ways to keep your eyes on nature while staying warm. Check in to one of Ridgeback Lodge's ultra-cool Dream Domes, perfect for year-round travelers. Located in New Brunswick, just outside Saint John, these romantic suites sport a fully equipped kitchenette and private deck. The lodge also has self-contained cabins that are available any time of the year.

Lodge life from luxe to low-key

Canada's lodges are shapeshifters, ranging from rustic wilderness resorts to indulgent mountain and lakeside retreats. What these spectacular stays share in common is how your sense of winter wonder is heightened by surroundings swathed in snow. 

Northern exposure goes deep at Blachford Lodge, east of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. This fly-in destination is a perfect escape into nature. With self-contained log cabins and cozy guest rooms, it's the ideal base for a Canadian winter adventure. This lodge has had some well-known visitors such as Prince William and Kate Middleton, who visited during their Royal Tour of Canada. Available from the lodge are outdoor activities like going on snowmobiling tours (some come with tea and cookies), searching for snowy owls and foxes on nature trails, gawking at the aurora, or chartering a float plane from Great Slave Lake. 

"Next door" in the Yukon, the Northern Lights Resort & Spa in Whitehorse lets you stay extra-cozy and get close to the aurora action when bedding down in one of its signature glass-fronted chalets. With dog sledding, ice fishing and snowmobiling adventures as well as four groomed trails on property, you’ll always have something to do here. 

Alberta is flush with memorable mountain lodges amid the serrated peaks of the Rocky Mountains, turquoise lakes and impossibly blue skies. One of its standouts is Skoki Lodge, set in the high-alpine region in Banff National Park. It’s one of Canada's most remote backcountry lodges: only intrepid cross-country skiers willing to take the 6.8-mile route from Lake Louise can access this national historic site during the winter season. Once there, however, you’ll find a number of trail adventures suitable for skiers of all levels, including untracked ski-touring and telemark slopes. But beware—rumor has it that five ghosts haunt the old Halfway Hut en route. 

On Canada's Atlantic Coast, winter retreat meets digital detox at Eagle Mountain Lodge, hunkered down amid the Long Range Mountains. Receiving about 8–12 feet of snow annually, this region is blessed with some of the highest snow cover in Eastern Canada. Situated about 43 miles north of Deer Lake, in Newfoundland and Labrador, this is the true backcountry, bordering the ancient landscape of Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The lodge doesn't have cellular service, just Wi-Fi. But don’t worry—you’ll be way too busy making your way through the unparalleled backcountry snowmobiling routes, which go through river valleys and high-elevation open countryside. The lodge itself offers spectacular uninterrupted views of the rugged landscape. 

Boutique hotels and charming cottages

Small wonders, whether quaint cottages or chic retreats, are about solitude, personalization and exclusivity. Find those hidden trails to explore by making your base on-grid or off.
 

Prince Edward Island loves winter so much, the island province celebrates the season with a festival: Jack Frost Winterfest. With three different venues, this festival has all the winter activities you could think of: from epic tube runs to skating under the stars. So head to the capital, Charlottetown, where charm and hospitality are everything. Fairholm Boutique Inns, located downtown, is composed of four restored heritage buildings with 33 suites spread across them. Make this your weekend retreat for winter revelry like tobogganing, ice skating and, of course, indulging in mugs of steaming hot chocolate.

If your furry friends are also in need of a winter getaway, head to Rossland, where pet-friendly hotel The Josie holds court on the slopes of RED Mountain Resort, just one of British Columbia's countless outdoor winter playgrounds. Whatever your "pre" activity—fat biking, cat skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing—end the day with an après cocktail on the patio before falling into bed after a day well spent on the mountain. This resort has 3,850 skiable acres, including a 2,919-foot vertical drop, meaning there are endless opportunities for exploration. 

Just outside Québec City is the alluring Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations, a boutique hotel inspired by a traditional longhouse and adorned with original crafts. You can discover Huron-Wendat culture at the onsite museum and explore the hiking trails year-round. The museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage of the Wendat Nation, and a number of tours are offered to take you through the exhibits. 

If being surrounded by rugged natural beauty is your version of paradise, the Mystical Beachfront Chalet on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, is exactly where you’ll want to be. You can explore the surrounding trails and the 5-mile stretch of sand right past the oceanfront deck. If you want some serious relaxation, you can also overlook the ocean in the hot tub or the propane-heated container pool. There are so many incredible places to explore and stay on Cape Breton Island, be it a bed and breakfast, a hostel or camping.

Bring it on, winter! Skating, curling, skiing and hiking in Saskatchewan's boreal forest are go-to activities at Elk Ridge Resort. But of course, you'll need somewhere to sleep. Choose from family-friendly townhomes, cabins and cottages equipped with kitchens, gas fireplaces and more.

One easy escape from Toronto is Blue Mountain, a place that will allow you to appreciate all of the beauty Ontario has to offer in an idyllic winter landscape. Along with activities like snowshoe tours and sleigh rides, this winter adventure hub has its share of slope-side accommodations like the Westin Trillium House. Nestled in the mountain's pedestrian-only village, the hotel's expansive suites can accommodate families wanting to spend their days exploring and evenings relaxing in their home away from home. No matter where you stay, you’ll see views of either Georgian Bay or the Niagara Escarpment. Winter activities range from tubing to woodview mountaintop skating. 

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Canadian winter accommodations for families?

Blue Mountain's Westin Trillium House in Ontario offers spacious family suites with ski-in access, while Elk Ridge Resort in Saskatchewan's boreal forest provides family-friendly townhomes, cabins and cottages with kitchens and gas fireplaces. Both properties offer easy access to winter activities like tubing, skating and snowshoeing.

Where can I stay in Canada to see the northern lights?

The Churchill Northern Studies Centre in Manitoba and Blachford Lodge outside Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories are two top lodge options for viewing the northern lights. As well, the Northern Lights Resort & Spa in Whitehorse, Yukon, offers glass-fronted chalets purpose-built for aurora viewing.

Are there pet-friendly winter resorts in Canada?

The Josie in Rossland, British Columbia, is a pet-friendly hotel located on the slopes of RED Mountain Resort, which offers 3,850 skiable acres and a 2,919-foot vertical drop. You can fat bike, snowboard, cat ski or snowshoe before settling in for après.

What is Canada's only ice hotel?

Hôtel de Glace in Québec is the only ice hotel in North America. It features hand-sculpted suites, an ice bar, fine dining, an ice skating path, and access to a thermal spa and swimming pools at the Hôtel Valcartier.

What Canadian winter accommodations offer digital detox experiences?

Eagle Mountain Lodge in Newfoundland and Labrador, situated near Gros Morne National Park, has no cellular service—only Wi-Fi. The lodge borders ancient backcountry terrain and receives 8–12 feet of snow annually, making it one of Eastern Canada's top snowmobiling destinations.

Sources & Registry

Hotel Zed — hotelzed.com

Hôtel de Glace / Valcartier — valcartier.com

Churchill Northern Studies Centre — churchillscience.ca

Ridgeback Lodge — ridgebacklodge.com

Blachford Lake Lodge — blachfordlakelodge.com

Northern Lights Resort & Spa — northernlightsyukon.com

Skoki Lodge — skoki.com

Eagle Mountain Lodge — emlodge.com

Jack Frost Winterfest — jackfrostfestival.com

Fairholm Boutique Inns — fairholminn.com

The Josie / RED Mountain Resort — thejosie.com / redresort.com

Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations — hotelpremieresnations.ca